Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Bioprospecting of Indigenous Bioresources of North-East India

  • 528 Accesses

Abstract

Northeast India, a mega-diversity centre and a hotspot, comprises eight states, viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It occupies 7.7 % of India’s total geographical area supporting 50 % of the flora (ca. 8000 species), of which 31.58 % (ca. 2526 species) are endemic. The region is rich in orchids, ferns, oaks (Quercus spp.), bamboos, rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.), magnolias (Magnolia spp.), etc. Orchids, believed to have evolved in this region (Kumaria, Tandon, J North East Study IV: 57–71, 2007), form a very noticeable feature of the vegetation here. About 1331 species of orchids, belonging to 186 genera, were reported from India; Northeast India sustains the highest number with about 856 species. Amongst them, 34 species of orchids are identified amongst the threatened plants of India and as many as endemic to different states of this region. Out of the eight orchid habitat regions in India, the two most important areas, namely, the Eastern Himalayas and the Northeastern Region, fall within the political boundaries of Northeastern Region.

Terrestrial orchids are located in humus-rich moist earth under tree shades in north-western India. Western Ghats harbour the small flowered orchids. Epiphytic orchids are common in Northeastern India which grows up to an elevation of 5000 MSL.

The habitat loss, deterioration and fragmentation, introduction of exotic species, over-exploitation, environmental pollution, global warming, commercialisation of agriculture and forestry and jhum cultivation are the major causes for the loss of diversity. India has strengthened on diversity conservation by implementing a series of act, rules, laws, regulations, agreements and developing network of protected areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abraham A, Vatsala P (1981) Introduction to orchids with illustrations and descriptions of 150 South Indian Orchids. Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, p 533

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmedullah M et al (1999) Red data book of Indian plants, vol IV. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharjee SK, De LC (2005) Post-harvest technology of flowers and ornamental plants. Pointer Publishers, Jaipur, p 440

    Google Scholar 

  • Bobisud CA, Kamemoto H (1982) Selection and inbreeding in amphidiploid Dendrobium. J Am Soc Hort Sci 107:1024–1027

    Google Scholar 

  • Bose TK, Bhattacharjee SK (1980) Orchids in India. Naya Prakash Publishers, Calcutta, p 538

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatterjee S, Saikia A, Dutta P, Pangging GD, Goswami AK (2006) Biodiversity significance of North-East India, p 80

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen WH, Fu YM, Hsieh RM, Wu CC, Chyou MS, Tsai WT (1995) Modern breeding in Phalaenopsis orchid. Taiwan Sugar 42(3):17–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhery HJ (1998) Orchid Flora of Arunachal Pradesh. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhery HJ (2001) Orchid diversity in north-east India. J Orchid Soc India 15:1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhery H (2009) Orchid diversity in northeastern states of India. J Orchid Soc India 23(1–2):19–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Das S, Deori NC (1983) A census of endemic orchids of North-Eastern India. In: Jain SK, Rao RR (eds) An assessment of threatened plants of India. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, pp 104–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson B (1994) Dendrobium breeding trend. Am Orchid Soc Bull 63:638–645

    Google Scholar 

  • De LC (2011) Value addition in flowers and orchids. New India Publishing Agency, Pitam Pura, p 294

    Google Scholar 

  • De LC, Medhi RP (2010) Orchid-a diversified and value added flower crop (Abs. No. II-150). In: Proceeding of 4th Indian Horticulture Congress held from 18th–21st November, 2010 at New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs RF (1997) Fabulous Vandaceous intergenerics. Orchids 66:350–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta R (1993) Conservation and utilization of Indian medicinal plants. Indian J Plant Genet Resour 6:131–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Hajra PK, De A (2010) Phyto-geographic analysis of orchid flora in India. J Orchid Soc India 24(1/2):43–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Haridashan K, Rao RR (1985) Forest Flora of Meghalaya. Bishen Pal Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde SN (1984) Orchids of Arunachal Pradesh. Forest Department, Arunachal Pradesh

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde SN (1997) Orchid wealth of India. Proc Indian Natl Sci Acad 3:229–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde SN (2000) Conservation of North East flora. Arunachal For News 18 (1& 2)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde SN (2001) Orchids: conservation, culture, farming and trade. OSA, Itanagar, Himalayan Publishers, Itanagar/New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde SN (2005) Orchid diversity in the Eastern Himalayas. J Hill Res 18(2):43–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde SN (2007) Orchids of Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka and their conservation. Orchid Newsl 2(3):9–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Hegde SN (2012) Ex-situ and in situ conservation of orchids in India. J Orchid Soc India 26(1–2):1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamemoto H, Kobayashi RS, Amore TD (1989) Evaluation of 16 seed propagated amphidiploid Dendrobium progenies, Research extension series no. 105. Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii, p 127

    Google Scholar 

  • Kataki SK, Jain SK, Sastry ARK (1984) Distribution of Orchids of Sikkim and North East India. Plant Conserv Bull 5, Botanical survey of India, Howrah

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar K, Madhu Sheela VL (2007) Status of breeding in orchids-a review. J Ornamental Hortic 10:199–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumaria S, Tandon P (2007) Biotechnological approaches to conservation of orchids, the wondrous and mystic plants of North-East India. Man and Society, A Journal of North East StudyMan Soc J Northeast Stud Spring, IV:57–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Manilal KS, Sathish Kumar C (2004) Orchid memories-a tribute to Gunnar Seidenfaden. IAAT, Calicut

    Google Scholar 

  • Mc Connel J, Kamemoto H (1983) Characteristics of four sets of reciprocal crosses in Dendrobium (Orchidaceae). J Am Soc Hortic Sci 108:1003–1006

    Google Scholar 

  • Medhi RP, Chakrabarti S (2009) Traditional knowledge of NE people on conservation of wild orchids. Indian J Tradit Knowl 8(1):11–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Medhi RP, Chakraborti M, Rampal (2012) Orchid biodiversity in India: conservation and utilization. Indian J Genet 72(2):148–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercy ST, Dale B (1997) Orchids. St. Josephs Press, Thiruvananthapuram, p 132

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayar MP (1996) Hotspots of endemic plants of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Trivandrum

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayar MP, Sastry ARK (1987) Red data book of Indian plants, vol I. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayar MP, Sastry ARK (1988) Red data book of Indian plants, vol II. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayar MP, Sastry ARK (1990) Red data book of Indian plants, vol III. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayar MP, Sastry ARK (1997-1998, 1999) Red data book of Indian plants, vol 1–3. Botanical Society of India, Calcutta

    Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan UC (1976, 1979) Indian orchids-guide to identification and culture. I & II, Kalimpong

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard HW (1989) Modern methods in Orchid conservation: the role of physiology. Ecology and management. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rao TA, Sridhar S (2007) Wild Orchids of Karnataka-a pictorial compendium. INCERT, Bangalore

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogersen WP (1991) Hybridization of white Paphiopedilums-Part 2. Am Orchid Soc Bull 60:759–765

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh F (1984) Cymbidium munronianum. The fragrant cymbidium. Orchid Rev 92:231

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh F (1990) Indian orchids. Indian Hortic 35(1):14–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh BM (2005) Collection and conservation of endangered medicinal and aromatic plants. In: Tyagi CS, Verma PK, Hooda JS, Yadav OP, Goyal RK (eds) Course compendium-winter school on advances in Medicinal Aromatic and Underutilized Plants Research. Sept 29–Oct 19, 2005 at CCSHAU, Hisar pp 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Tandon P, Abrol YP, Suman K (2007) Biodiversity and its significance. I.K. International Pvt Ltd., New Delhi, p 370

    Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi RS, Barik SK (2003) National biodiversity strategy and action plan report for Northeast India. Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Yumnam JY (2008) Rich biodiversity of Northeast India needs conservation. Curr Sci 95(3):3–10

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong, 737106, Sikkim, India

    L. C. De & D. R. Singh

  2. Centre for Orchid Gene Conservation of Eastern Himalayan Region, Senapati District, Manipur, India

    A. N. Rao

Authors
  1. L. C. De
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. N. Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. R. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. C. De .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Office of the Director General-Life Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), New Delhi, India

    Jubilee Purkayastha

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

De, L.C., Rao, A.N., Singh, D.R. (2016). Endangered Orchids and Their Conservation in North East India. In: Purkayastha, J. (eds) Bioprospecting of Indigenous Bioresources of North-East India. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0620-3_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation